FG Calls for Local Solutions, Better Partnerships to Curb Militating Effect of Climate on Health

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government has called for local solutions and better partnerships to tackle the growing effects of climate change on health in the country

The call was made on Thursday by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate at the 10th Future of Health Conference in Abuja.

The minister noted that climate change is already affecting Nigeria and requires urgent action.

At the event themed “From Evidence to Action: Building Resilience in the Climate and Health Nexus,” Pate outlined major challenges Nigeria is facing to include political and economic problems, rapid urban growth, population increase, and the return of infectious diseases.

He however said none of these challenges compare to the threat of climate change, noting that the country has already seen impacts of flooding, droughts, cases of diseases like malaria and yellow fever, and food shortages caused by bad weather affecting farms.

Page said: “The future is here. Climate change is already affecting our health today, and it will continue to do so in the future. This is not just a health issue; it is a matter of survival for our country.”

The minister said while climate change is a worldwide problem, the solutions must fit Nigeria’s specific situation.

He applauded the efforts made by President Bola Tinubu’s government, especially through the Health Sector Renewal Agenda, noting that this agenda focuses on improving healthcare for everyone, investing in primary healthcare, strengthening health workers, and ensuring the country’s health security.

Pate also mentioned the government’s quick action during the flooding in Borno State, where they worked with partners like the World Bank to improve healthcare and respond to emergencies.

He noted that the government provided vaccines and clean water to prevent the spread of cholera, showing the importance of such coordinated efforts.

The minister further explained how climate change is affecting Nigeria’s food systems, causing food shortages due to flooding.

He however called for more partnerships between the government, private sector, civil society, and global organizations to solve these problems. Pate especially thanked the World Bank for its support in strengthening Nigeria’s health sector, saying that global and national efforts must continue to work together.

“The World Bank’s support, along with help from the UK, USA, and other partners, is crucial in building a stronger health sector. We are making real progress, and this broad approach is the way forward,” he added.

Pate also talked about how the communities most affected by climate change, like those displaced by floods or facing hunger, are often the least responsible for causing it.

He urged global partners to recognize this and provide more resources to help those affected.

“If we truly want to solve climate change, we must see it as a justice issue. The people suffering from droughts and floods did not cause this crisis, yet they are the ones paying the price,” Pate said.

He called for more awareness at the local level, especially in rural areas, so communities understand how climate change affects their lives and can help find solutions.

“We need to involve our people so they can help us respond to this challenge. Only then can we build true resilience in our health sector,” he concluded.

On his part, the Global Programme Lead for Climate and Health at the World Bank, Dr. Tamer Samah Rabie, who also spoke at the conference, commended Nigeria for making strong steps toward a climate-resilient health system.

Rabie pointed out that Nigeria is leading by example, developing policies and making investments to strengthen the health sector.

He said: “Nigeria is setting an example by putting evidence into action, developing policies, and securing investments. Although there is still a long way to go, I am confident that Nigeria is on the right path.”

The Future of Health Conference brings together global and national leaders to discuss how to improve health in the face of climate change.

Vivianne Ihekweazu, Managing Director of Nigeria Health Watch, emphasized the importance of this year’s event, noting that commitments made today show the urgency of solving climate-related health challenges. She stressed the need for strong actions to turn climate awareness into policy changes.

Mandate Secretary for Health Services and Environment in the Federal Capital Territory, Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, also spoke about the link between climate change, public health, and food security.

She highlighted how air pollution, poor food production, and lack of environmental care are all affecting the health of Nigerians.

Dr. Fasawe mentioned how air pollution led to the death of a child in the UK, pointing out that similar dangers exist in Nigeria, where vehicles releasing harmful gases are not being regulated. He called for legislative action to address these environmental health issues.

She also stressed that Nigeria’s agriculture is suffering due to climate change, leading to rising food prices and a lack of access to affordable food. “Do we really have plenty when food prices are going up every day?” Dr. Fasawe asked.

Dr. Fasawe called for the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices and investment in research to help communities better cope with climate change. He also invited Nigeria Health Watch to work with the FCT Secretariat in their medical outreach program, stressing the importance of nutrition education as part of healthcare.

FG Calls for Local Solutions, Better Partnerships to Curb Militating Effect of Climate on Health

IPCR, Others Insist All Hands Must Be On Deck to Minimize Conflicts in Nigeria

By: Michael Mike

The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) and other stakeholders in peace advocacy in Nigeria have said all hands must be on deck to minimize conflicts in Nigeria.

The stakeholders made the submission on Thursday in Abuja during a two-day stakeholders training in early warning response group (EWRG) to conflict resolution.

They said: “To minimize conflicts in our society, all hands must be on deck.”

While talking at the workshop, Deputy Director, Research National Conflict early warning and early response, who also double as coordinator partner project, Mr Steve Agbo said: “The essence of this project, is to enhance early warning, early response system in Nigeria to achieve sustainable peace in the country through conflict prevention, and to do that, the Institute as a peace promotion agency in Nigeria has carried out a research that indicated that lack of response is a major factor inhibiting the effectiveness of conflict early warning system in Nigeria, and has also a rollover effect on why Nigeria is having myriad of conflict across the country”.

He added that: “There is a need to establish this group that we are training today, the group called Early Warning response group is a mixture of security and non security response personnel from various agencies. We started the group in 2003 and today we have the group established at the state level in the nine selected states in Nigeria, that’s Benue, Nasarawa Plateau, Kaduna, Katsina and Kano”.

One of the participants at the training, a chief superintendent in NSCDC, Mr Oguntayo Olayinka said, “the training have help us to learn about the model on how to handle the conflict, which we were taught on how we can understand the interest indicator, the what that involved before you start the solution. So when you understand the needs and the interest of the individual, as a stakeholders, you will be able to analyze the conflict, very well, and to provide the next solution to it”.

The workshop had in attendance top-level security stakeholder representatives from the Directorate of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA), The Nigeria Police (NPF), representatives from Ministry Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

Moving forward, the training is expected to reach it targeted goal and formulate comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of conflicts while fostering cooperation and trust among all stakeholders.

Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) in partnership with Peace Action for Rapid and Transformative Nigeria Early Response (PARTNER) together with United States Agency for international Development (USAID) organised the workshop.

Agbo said: As highlighted in the UN-World Bank report Pathways for Peace: Inclusive Approaches to Preventing Violent Conflict, the number of violent conflicts has increased since 2010, thus raising the question of how violence and its escalation can be prevented. Conflict prevention mechanisms exist. And that is what is called, Early Warning and Response Systems (EWRS). Hence, the need for training to update those who are the key stakeholders involved in tackling the issue of conflict resolution using the modern technique and approach.

Cabinet Reshuffle: ActionAid Nigeria Says Tinubu Should Have Increase Female Ministers

By: Michael Mike

ActionAid Nigeria has decried the non increment in ministerial slot to women after the newly announced cabinet reshuffling by President Bola Tinubu.

The Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu, in a statement on Thursday said the organisation “acknowledges the recent cabinet reshuffling, along with the disbandment and merging of some Ministries, as an effort towards recalibrating governance. While restructuring is within the President’s prerogative, this moment demands that government agendas are decisively aligned with the needs of citizens, with a focus on inclusivity, cost-efficiency, and competent service delivery.

“The ousting of three female portfolio Ministers and appointment of seven new portfolio Ministers, three of which are women, raises serious questions about the government’s commitment to advancing gender equality, youth engagement, social development and the fulfillment of the 35% Affirmative Action benchmark. In a country with an already low representation of women in both elective and appointed positions, this was a crucial opportunity for the government to advance gender parity.

“Appointing more women would have signaled a decisive step toward closing this persistent gap. Instead, this move reinforces systemic exclusion and undermines years of advocacy for gender inclusion.”

He added that: “The decision to replace underperforming Ministers highlights the President’s intention to ensure accountability, improve delivery and address the current situation in the country. However, it also raises critical questions about the original appointments: Why did these officials fail to deliver? What lessons have been learned about the pitfalls of appointing political cronies at the expense of governance? We urge the administration to ensure thorough capacity-building for the new ministers and to take decisive action to prevent a repeat of previous shortcomings. Investigating the root causes of the failures is essential to avoid the same governance lapses.”

He further said: “As this cabinet grows to become the largest since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, concerns about the rising cost of governance become even more pressing. Although some Ministries were merged or disbanded, the net effect has been an increase in the number of Ministers.

“We call on all newly appointed Ministers to resist the temptation to introduce new personal agendas that deviate from the mandates of their Ministries. Governance should be focused and aligned with public needs, particularly in critical areas such as poverty reduction, social protection, and humanitarian support. The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction must act swiftly to revive key initiatives, such as the school feeding program and the national social register, to address the urgent needs of vulnerable populations.
ActionAid Nigeria urges the President to ensure that ministers follow the existing frameworks and strategic objectives of their Ministries. Policies and programmes must be people-centered, reflecting the current socio-economic realities of the nation.”

He said: “Citizens expect a government that prioritizes their well-being and delivers results efficiently and transparently.
In these challenging times, it is essential that governance reflects the principles of equity, accountability, and fiscal responsibility. We remain committed to holding leaders accountable to these standards and advocating for a government that works for the benefit of all Nigerians.”

Cabinet Reshuffle: ActionAid Nigeria Says Tinubu Should Have Increase Female Ministers